Party Line: Inner-kid comes out at Children's Museum fundraiser

Grown-ups played at Children's Museum of Memphis during the 2009 Cirque du CMOM fundraiser.

When they weren't dancing to music by deejay Mark Anderson and Party Train, they ate cuisine from Cafe Society executive chef Cullen Kent, enjoyed cocktails and wine from the open bar and bid on more than 160 items.

A total of 517 attended the recent event, the museum's largest fundraiser in 10 years, said Randy McKeel, the museum's director of public relations and marketing. An estimated $125,000 was raised, he said.

The energetic party also featured a stilt walker and a Charlie Chaplin mime.

Val Russell performed on the trapeze. At least one guest also got in the act; even though he was wearing cowboy boots, John Sampietro hoisted himself up on a trapeze.

Lucia Heros was party chairman.

Familiar faces serve for radiothon kickoff

High-profile servers did their best to keep from spilling microbrewed beer Tuesday night during Celebrity Waiter's Night at Bosco's Squared, the kickoff event for the 18th annual ROCK 103 Ronald McDonald House Radiothon, a benefit for Ronald McDonald House of Memphis.

Some celebs had previous experience. WKNO's Darel Snodgrass was a server for three years at a place called Hugo's when he was at University of Alabama.

"I was OK," he said. "I could wait on tables and not drop things."

WREG news anchor Markova Reed worked two weeks at a Taco Bell.

"I wasn't cut out for fast food," she said.

The ROCK 103 Ronald McDonald House Radiothon will be March 12 and 13, said Jordan Proctor, Ronald McDonald House of Memphis special events coordinator.

Humane Society parties with the animals

Guests talked to the animals as they sipped vino at the recent "Wines for Whiskers" fundraiser at the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County.

Debbie Couch, owner of Whiskers Wine & Spirits, served Fat Cat and Rosenblum Chateau La Paws brand wine for guests who partied with the wide-awake dogs and cats, who, for the most part, remained in their cages. Debbie's store also sells other wine with animal titles, including DogHouse and Yard Dog wine.

The purpose of the Humane Society's "kickoff event for the year" was to "make people aware of the good things we're doing out here," said event chairman Steve Schwartz.

Ptah rounds up king, queen and court

Instead of a royal robe, Grand Krewe of Ptah king Henry Bailey wore a white dinner jacket a la Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca" at his recent coronation. The 1942 movie that also starred Ingrid Bergman was the theme of Ptah's coronation ceremony. Germantown Athletic Club's Great Hall was transformed into Ptah's version of Rick's Cafe Americain.

TJ Searcy was presented as the new queen. The king and queen's royal dance was (naturally) to "As Time Goes By."

The Ptah princesses are Sharon Fewell, Janie Bailey, Anita Howald and Christine Montgomery. Their escorts were Wayne Fewell, Tommy Pollard, Tom Bledsoe and Frank Holeman. Bubba Winkler is the royal flagman. Al Owings is chairman. David Benstein was master of ceremonies. The Plaintiffs performed.